Circuit opening and closing device



Sept. 21 1926. 1,600,854

R. J. SMOTHERS CIRCUIT OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1 s Sheets-Sheet 1 o .501 '29 104' I J I V' 1 g 8 1 02? 7 6*" l'\\\ V 7 701 A 21 3.9 i5 .9 1a 1 x v 2 i r v m" 11 20 IN VEN TOR.

- s2 J4 :0 1w fidertJSlnoWns,

r ATTORNEY.

Sept. 21 1926.

R. J. SMOTHERS CIRCUIT OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 11, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iv/ i I INVENTOR. llobel'tellsmoilwn A TTORNEY.

Sept. 21, 1926.

R. J. SMOTHERS CIRCUIT OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 11

11 II I I! mmvron. Robert J. 5722027161" 3 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

NITYED 1 STATES PATE'N T OFF 1 C E ROBERT JARVIS SMOTHERS, OF HOIJ'YBKE, MASSACHUSE'JP'JJS,- ASSIGNOR TO JAMES T.

ROBINSON; OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CIRCUIT OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE.

Application filedSeptamber 11 1925. Serial No.

This invention relates to a circuit opening and closing device designed primarily for use for lighting circuits employed. with ]f)l1()i'0;3'1211)l1l0 printing machines of the step and repeat type, more particularlytothe type of step andrepeat photographic printing machine as disclosed in my application to-wit:-filed Nov. 7, 1925, Serial Number (37,596, but it is. to be understood that, a circuit opening andclosing device in accordance with thisinvention, can be employed for use in any connection for which it is "found applicable, and the invention hasfor its object toprovide in a mannercasherein V after set forth, a device ofthe class-referred to for regulating the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, whereby when-the device is employed with; a lighting circuit tor photographic printing, inyaccordance with the step and-repeat method,the, period necessary for the application of lightraysito a particular photographic plate Willtbe obtained to ensure clear,- accurate, uniform, distinct and perfect photographic, prints from the plate upon a sensitized surface.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as ,hereinafter set forth, a circuit opening and closing device which is simple in its -constructionwand arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient' in its use for the purpose intended, readily installed, :and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

lVith the foregoing, and other objectszin view, the invention consistsof a novel construction, combination and, arrangement of parts as hereinafter more vspecifically; described and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which, fall within. the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views- Figure l is an elevation of a circuit opening and closing device, in accordance with this invention, showing the adaptation thereof in connectionw-ith; a lighting circuit.

Figure 2 is a section on line -2-'2, Figure 3.

A circuit-opening and closingdevice, in accordance with this invention, includes a pivoted latch 1, to behereinafterreferred to,. which .releasably retains the device in pos tionto open the circuit with whichthe device is employed, and as shown, byway of e. :ample,Tthe device iscemployed in connection with a lighting circuit for the lamp 2, The latch l-iis shifted to releasedrposition to permit oftheoperation of the device to close the circultfor a predeterminedipe- 'riod to control,the-.service application of the current, or-to controlthe illumination of the lamp 2. lVhen the. device operatesin a direction toopenithecircuit, it is againengage-d bythe latch landyheld insuch position until the latch is again;shifted to release thedevice so it can operatetoclose the circuit for; a predetermined period. The

adaptation of a circuitopening; and closing -device,- in accordance with this invention, is shown in connection with a li-g'htingcircuit employed tor photographic printing and the latch 1, is shifted-to released position by, a shifting ,member therefor carried by a movable part-10f; a photographic printing machine, such movable part: being an element of alampliouse shifting means and such element is indicatedat 3. The element 3l1as secured-.thereto,,so as to bodily move therewith, a tubular member 4 which has extending therethroughand threadably engaging with the inner face thereof; the. shifting .member fi-for-the latch 1..

y I The ,member 5 1S bodily carried withthe member 4 andelement 3-, duringflthe shiftinggot the latter.

The element may move; in a vertical or inclined positionp It is to be understood that any suitablemmeans can vbe employed for .shiftingythe member to actuate the latch 1, butwith the member dpreterably adjust-m bly connected to theameanswhichyshifts or moves it. The :member 5-is arranged, over the latch iaZnd3Q0n$lStSQOf ausubstautially elongated cylindrical. ;bar. ;-threaded oni its lower portion and provided w'itlt a ,head (3 having a knurled edge to facilitate the adjusting of the member 5 relative to the latch 1.

The circuit opening and closing device comprises a stationary casing or housing consisting of a body portion formed of two sections, one of which is indicated generally by the reference character 7 and the other of which generally by the reference character 8. The section '7 is channel-shaped in plan and forms a side wall 9, a front wall 10 and a rear wall 11 of the housing. The section 8 is channel-shaped in vertical section and forms the other side wall 12, the top wall 13 and the bottom wall 1% of the housing. Secured to the inner face of the rear wall 11 and flush with the top and bottom edges of said wall are supporting pieces 15, 16 respectively and each of which extends from the inner face of the side wall and terminates at a point inwardly with respect to the side edge of the wall 11. Secured to the inner face of the rear wall 11 and abutting against the supporting pieces 15 and 16, is a vertically disposed bar 17 which also forms a supporting piece. The holdfast devices for securing the supporting pieces to the inner face of the wall 11 are indicated at 18. The bar or supporting piece 17 is flush with the vertical edge of the wall 11. The supporting piece 15 is formed intermediate its ends with an opening 19 having a threaded wall. The supporting piece 16 is provided intermediate its ends with an opening 20 having a threaded wall, and the bar or supporting piece 17 is pro vided interinediate'its ends with a pair of spaced openings 21 having threaded walls.

Secured to the inner face of the front wall 10 at the top thereof, as well as being flush with the upper edge of said wall, is a. supporting piece 21 which extends from the side wall 9 and terminates at a point removed from the vertical edge of the wall 10 and holdfast devices 22 are employed for securing the supporting piece 21 to the wall 10. The supporting piece 21 intermediate its ends is formed with an opening 23 having a threaded wall. Secured to the inner face of the wall 10, by the holdfast devices 24 is a supporting piece 25, which is flush with the lower edge of the wall 10 and has its inner ends spaced from the inner face of the side wall 9 and its outer end spaced from the vertical edge of the wall 10. The supporting piece 25 is formed with an opening 26 having a threaded wall. Secured to the inner face of the wall 10 and flush with the vertical edge thereof. as well as abutting against the outer ends of the supporting pieces 21 and is vertically disposed bar 27, which also forms a supporting piece and said bar 27 is pro vided intermediate its ends with a pair of spaced openings 28 having threaded walls.

The holdfast devices for securing the bar 27 of the wall 10 are indicated at 29.

\Vhen the sections 7 and 8 are arranged in co-active relation to provide the housing, the section 8 overlaps the top and bottom edges of the walls 10 and 11, seats against the supporting pieces 15, 16, 21 and 25, bears against the supporting pieces 17 and 27 and further abuts against the vertical edges of the walls 10 and 11. Section 8 is secured with the section 7 by holdfast devices 30, detachably engaging the walls of the openings 19, 20, 23, 26 and 27.

The sidewall 9, intermediate its ends, is formed with a vertically disposed slot 31. The bottom wall 14 is formed with a lengthwise extending key-hole-shapcd slot The front wall 8 has extending therethrough. near the upper end thereof, a pair of flanged sleeves 33, only one of which is shown. for the passage of the encased circuit wires 34 and 35 into the chamber 36 formed by the housing. The c cuit wires 3.1 and. 35 extend from their covering as at 37. at the upper portion of the chamber 36, and project in opposite direct-ions from the cover 37 The circuit wires 34, 35 when projected from the covering 37 have a portion of insulation thereof removed somewhat whereby the conductor will be of less diameter than with the insulation thereon. The front wall 10 is provided with a bracket 38 for anchoring the housing stationary to a suitable support. The support to which the bracket 38 is anchored is the body of the machine with which the circuit opening and closing device is employed. The front wall 10 at its lower end is provided with a. vertically disposed slot 39 through which extends an arm of the latch 1 so that such arm will be in the path of the lower end of the shifting member 5 therefor. The shifting member 5 after being adjusted, is secured in adjusted position by the set screw 10.

Fixedly secured to the inner face of the side wall 9, as well as spaced therefrom, is a vertically disposed rectangular plate 10 of insulation, provided in its upper portion with a lengthwise extending slot ll, which opposes the slot 31. Positioned against that face of the plate 10, which opposes the inner face of the wall 12, is a pair of spaced strips of insulation 12, having their opposed side edges undercut as at sl-l. The plate ell), in connection with the strips 12, 13 form a dove-tail groove for a vertically movable carrier -16 formed of a rectangular plate of insulation and which has imbedded in its outer face a tapered contact member 457, of the same length as the length of the carrier 46 and which gradually increases in width from the bottom edge to the top edge of the carrier 46.

Secured to the upper end of the strips 42, 43 is a spacing block 48 of insulation.

Mounted on the block 48, as well as secured therewith and depending therefrom is a rectangular flat support 49 also formed of insulation material. Secured to the lower ends of the strips '42, 43 and overlapping the carrier 46 are retaining pieces 50, 51 also formed of insulation and which also act as stops for an oscillatory circuit closing mechanism to be presently referred to.

The means for securing plate 45 to the wall 9 is indicated at 52. The means for securing the spacing pieces 48, support 49, strips 42 and 43 and plate 40 together is indicated at 53. The means for securing the retaining pieces 50, 51, strips 42 and 43 and plate 40 together is indicated at 54. The strips 42 and 43 provide guides for the movement of the carrier 46. The strip 42 is also secured to the plate 40 by a securing means The securing means 53, 54 and 55 are in the form of holdfast devices consisting of short headed screws carrying nuts at one end, exteriorly of the plate 40 and opposing the wall 7 The securing means 52 is in the form of screws and which extends through the wall 9 and threadedly engages in the plate 40 at the upper portion thereof and which fixedly retains the plate 40 inposition and when in position it abuts against the inner face of the wall 10. The plate 10 is suspended slightly above the bottom wall 14 and is spaced from the walls 8, 11 and 13. The height and width of the late is materially less than the height and width of the housing.

ducting material, if not, the insulation 59 is not necessary. The elements 57 extend outwardly through the slot 41, the plate 40 and slot 31 in the wall 9 and has a threaded outer end with which engages a clamping nut 60, suitably insulated and said nut 60 bears against a washer 61 carried by the element 58 and which acts as a means in connection with the nut 60 and element 58 for fixedlymaintaining the carrier 46 in the position to which it has been adjusted.

The circuit conductor or wire 35, is electrically connected with the contact member 4.7, asat62. The circuit conductor or wire 34 is electrically connected, as at 63 to a conducting arm'64, which is secured at one end to the upper portion of the member 49 and has its other end bent inwardly or inturned upon itself as at 65 for'the purpose of forming a contact abutment.

Secured to the support 49 below the arm a pair of spaced stop" pins 66, 67. Pixotally' connected to the member 49, as

ductor member is formed of a yoke-shaped. 7

lower portion 69 having an upwardly tending arm 70 formed integral therewith. The arm 70 extends between the pins 66, 67 and below the inner face of the arm 64. The lower. portion 69 is of inverted yokeshape and depends below the member 49. The yoke-shaped lower portion 69 of the conductor member has its arms arranged in the path of the circuit opening and. closing element of a spring controlled oscillatory circuit opening and closing mechanism which is arranged below the supporting member 49 and is engaged by the latch 1 for the purpose of releasably retaining said mechanism in a position when the circuit is open. The said oscillatory circuit opening and closing mechanism not only co acts with the conductor member but also with the contact member 47.

The oscillatory circuit opening and closing mechanism is shifted to close the circuit through the medium of a controlling spring therefor and returned to inactive position, or positioned to open the circuit, also by a controlling spring. The controlling spring will be presently referred to. The oscillatory circuit opening and closing mechanism also includes a governor to provide for its operation at uniform speeds when released to close the circuit and shifted to inactive position to open the circuit.

The spring controlled oscillatory circuit opening and closing mechanism includes a headed pivot 71 which is fixedly secured as at 72in the head 73 of a coupling member 74. which is secured to the plate 40. The head 73 of the coupling member 74 abuts against that face of the plate 40 which opposes the wall 12. The coupling member 74 is positioned near the lower end of the plate 40 and substantially at the vertical median thereof. Mounted on the pivot member 71 is a bell crank lever 75 formed of an upstanding arm 76 and a horizontally disposed arm 77 and with the latter of less length than the former. The arm 77 projects towards the latch 1 and the arm 76 extends toward the contact member 47. Positionedv against each face of the arm 76 is a strip of insulation and which are indicated at 78, 79. 'Mounted against the strip 78 is a holding plate 80 and arranged against the strip 79 is a wiper arm 81 which forms the circuit opening and closing element of said mechanism andis constructed-of a length of conducting material bent to provide a portion 82 arranged over the upper end of the arm 76, a portion positioned in close proximity to the supporting member 49 and a bow--shaped upper terminal portion 84 adapted on the operalit tion of the oscillatory mechanism to wipe the contact member 47 transversely thereof for the purpose of closing the circuit, for a predetermined period to control the service application of the current, or in other words to control the duration period for the activity of the light rays from the lamp 2 to pro vide for photographic printing. That part of the wiper arm 81, which projects above the arm '76 of the bell crank lever 75 resilient and is so constructed as to be pern'ianently maintained in abutting relation with respect to the supporting member 16, so that when the arm 81 is oscillated, it will engage the contact member 17, as the outer face of the latter flush with the outer face of the member a Positioned against that part of the arm 81, which is arranged against the strip 79, a short tapered bar of insulation, which projects above the upper end of the arm '76 of the bell crank lever 7 5, as well as above the portion 82 of the arm 81, and further is arranged in parallelism with respect to the portion 83 of the arm 81. The arms of the yoke-shaped lower portion of the oscillatory conductor member are arranged in the path of the bar 85, when the latter moves in either direction. The bar 85, arm 81, strips 78, 79, and arms 76 of the bell crank lever are secured together by the holdfast devices 86 and by this construction, when the bell crank lever 75 is shifted, the several elements connected to the arm 76 thereof will bodily move therewith. Electrically connected, as at 87 to the arm 70 of the oscillatory conductor member, is an electrically conductor 88, which is electrically connected. as at 89, to the oscillatory wiper arm 81 and by this arrangement when the wiper arm 81 is in engagementwith the contact member 1 the travel of the current will be circuit wire 35, contact member 4C7, wiper arm 82, conductor 88, arm 70 of the oscillatory conductor member, conductor arm 6%. and circuit connection 84. The circuit wires, which are encased in a single covering, lead from a. suitable source of electrical energy to the lamp 2 and said circuit wires have interposed therein, as well as electrically connected therewith, the circuit opening and closing device, in accordance with this invention. That portion of the encased circuit wires leading from the source of electrical energy is indicated at 90, and the portion leading from the housing to the lamp 2 is indicated at- 91.

Secured to the lower face of the arm 77, of the bell crank 75, by the holdfast devices 92. is a plate 93 provided at its inner end with a depending nose 94, and at its outer end with an arcuate arm 95 having its upper end formed with a seat 96 which is engaged by the latch 1 for the purpose of releasably locking the oscillatory mechanism in position to maintain the circuit open. Fixedly secured to the holdfa-st device 54, is the upper end of a controlling spring 97, which has its lower end connected to the arm 77, as at 98. The oscillatory mechanism is maintained in position to provide an open circuit against the pulling action of the spring 97, see Figure 2. Mounted on the pivot member 71, as well as secured to the outer face of the arm 77, of the bell crank lever 75, is the hub 99 of a toothed quadrant which forms a part of the governor for the oscillatory mechanism. The hub 99 is secured to the arm '77 by the holdfast devices 92. Secured to the lower portion of the plate 10, at one side of the pivot member '71, and extending towards the wall 8, is a supporting bracket 101 carrying a shaft 102, provided with a pinion 103 which meshes with the teeth of the quadrant 100. Fixed to the shaft 102 is a pair of oppositely extending arms 104, each having its outer end weighted as at 105. The nose 9% coacts with a two-armed setting lever for restoring the oscillatory mechanism to normal position, which is circuit opening position. The setting lever is arranged below the bracket 101 and is indicated at 106. The arms of the lever 106 are designated at 107, 108 and the former is of greater length, as well as being arranged above the latter. A pivot member 109 is carried by the plate 40 and upon which is mounted one end of the lever 106. The nose 94: is positioned in the path of the arm 107 of the lever 106 and a controlling spring 110 is positioned in the path of the arm 108 of the lever 106. The spring 110 extends up through the slot 32 into the lower portion of the chamber 36 formed by the housing, and said slot 32 provides a clearance for the operation of the lever 106 when it is moved downwardly when the arm 77 of the bell crank lever 75 is moved upwardly by the action of the spring 97, and when said arm 77 moves in such direction, the nose 94: engaging the arm 107 will move the lever 106 downwardly against the action of the spring 110 and the force of the spring 110, after the spring 97 has contracted, will move the lever 106 upwardly and as the arm 107 engages the nose 94: the arm 77 will be moved in an opposite direction against the action of the spring 97, but by the time the spring 97 is in position to overcome the action of the spring 110, the latch 1 will engage the seat 96 and hold the parts of the oscillatory mechanism in the position shown in Figure 2. The spring 97 provides means for moving the arm 76 of the bell crank lever in a direction towards and over the contact member 47 and the spring 110 acts as a means for moving the bell crank lever 75 in an opposite direction, under such conditions an oscillatory movement is given to the wiper member 81. When the arm 76 of the bell crank lever moves in a clockwise direction the governor mechanism operates in the same direction and when the arm 76 of the bell crank lever moves in a counter-clockwise direction the governor operates in a like direction and under such conditions the speed of the shift is controlled and uniform in either direction.

The spring 110 extends below the housing and is adjustably secured as at 111 to a stationary support 112, which may be the body of the machine with which the device is employed.

The latch which is referred to generally by the reference character 1, is s' ring con trolled and consists of an up-stan ing hookshaped arm 113 and a horizontally disposed arm 114 which extends through the slot 39 and in the path of the element 5. The pivot for the latch 1 is indicated at 115 and is carried by the plate 40. The controllin spring for the latch 1 is indicated at 116 and is arranged between the latch and the plate 40. One end of the spring 116 is connected to the plate 40 as at 117 and the other end to the latch 1, as at 118. The function of the controlling spring 116 is to maintain the latch 1 in the position shown in Figure 2, so that the bill of the arm 113 will be arranged in the path of the arcuate arm 95 so the bill can engage the seat 96 and be maintained in engagement therewith, by the spring 116.

For the purpose of controlling the service application of the current the carrier 46 is vertically adjusted so that any selected portion of varying width of the contact member 47 can be engaged by the bow-shaped end of the wiper arm 81. If the bow-shaped end 84 of the wiper arm 81 moves over a narrow portion of the contact member 47, the duration period for the service application of the current would be less than if the bow-shaped end 84 moved over a Wider part or portion of the contact member 47. By this arrangement, when the device is employed in connection with the lighting circuit for photographic printing, the exposure of the printing plate to the light rays can be had in predetermined periods, that is a short or long exposure, due to which portion of the contact plate 47 is engaged by the wiper element.

The inturned portion of the contact arm 64 is engaged by the arm of the conductor member to close the circuit and said arm 64 has the major portion of its length offset with respect to that'portion which is secured against the plate 49 by the securing means 63. Therefore, when the arm 7 O of the conductor member moves towards the pins 66 the circuit will be open. The pin 67 limits the movement in a clockwise direction of the arm 70 of the conductor member so that said arm will engage the inturned portion 65.

The bar 85 acts as a means to oscillate the conductor member so that the arm 70 thereof will be moved into and out of engagement with the inturned portion 65 of the arm64 and as before stated the inturned portion 65 constitutes an abutment contact. Normally the arm 70 of the conductor member is in engagement with the abutment contact and which is caused by the bar 85 engaging the arm 69' of the conductor so that it will be rocked to the position shown in Figure 2. \Vhen the bar 85 moves in a clockwise direction, that is to say, away from the arm 69, the wiper member will engage with the contact member 47 and the circuit will be maintained closed as long as the wiper memher is in engagement with the contact member 47. the bar 85 in a clockwise direction, said bar 85 will engage the arm 69" of the conductor member and shift the arm 70 of the conductor member out of contact with the inturned end 65 of the member 64. When the bar 85 engages the arm 69 the conductor member will be shifted to a position opposite to that shown in Figure-2 and the arm 70 thereof will engage the pin 66. At this time the bar 85 will be moved in a counterclockwise direction and towards the arm 69', and during such movement of the bar 85 the wiper member will engage the contact 47, but as the arm 70 is out of engagement with the inturned portion 65 of the arm 64 the circuit will not beclosed, As the bar 85 moves towards the arm 69, it will abut the latter, and at the time of abutment the latch 1 will engage the seat 96 and maintain the parts in the position as shown in Figure 2.

It is thought that the many advantages of a circuitopening and closing device, in accordance with this invention, and for the purpose set forth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described yet it isto be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

What I claim is 1. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, and an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, said upper element e aged by and oscillated on the operation 6% said lower element and coacting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a clockwise direction to wipe said content and to provide for the opening of the circuit As the wiper member moves with when said lower element moves in an anticlockwise direction to wipe said contact.

2. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, and adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coacting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a clockwise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anticlockwise direction to wipe said contact. and means for oscillating said lower element.

3. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for 'arying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coacting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a. clockwise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anti-clockwise direction to wipe said contact, and means for oscillating said lower element, said means including a governor for controlling the operation thereof.

at. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the dura tion period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current. said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coat-ting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a c ockwise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anti-clockwise direction to wipe said contact, means for oscillating said lower element. and a latching element for releasablv retaining said means from action when said lower element has been shifted to the limit of its movement in an anti-clockwise direction.

5. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current. said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coacting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower clement moves in a clockwise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anti-clockwise direction to wipe said contact. means for oscillating said lower element, a latching element for releasably retaining said means from action when said lower element has been shifted to the limit of its movement in a anti-clockwise direction, and means for shifting said latching element to relase the means for oscillating said lower element.

6. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the dura tion period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current. said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coact-ing with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a clockwise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anticlockwise direction to wipe said contact, and a normally latched spring controlled releasable means for oscillating said lower element.

7. A circuit opening and closing device comprising an upper and a lower oscillatory element, an adjustable contact wiped in opposite directions by said lower element and providing means for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, said upper element engaged by and oscillated on the operation of said lower element and coacting with the latter to close the circuit when said lower element moves in a clock wise direction to wipe said contact and to provide for the opening of the circuit when said lower element moves in an anticlock wise direction to wipe said contact, and a normally latched spring controlled releasable means for oscillating said lower element, said means including a governor for controlling the operation thereof.

8. A circuit opening and closing device comprising a normally stationary lengthwise adjustable contact for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, means for bodily adjusting said cont-act lengthwise and. to fixedly secure it in adjusted position to maintain a portion thereof in the path of a circuit closing means, a circuit closing means travelling across said portion of said contact for closing the circuit for a predetermined period, and a normally latched spring controlled releasable means for operating said circuit closing means.

9. A'circuit opening and closing device comprising a normally stationary lengthwise adjustable contact for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, means for bodily adjusting said contact lengthwise and to fixedly secure it in adjusted position to maintain a portion thereof in the path of a circuit closing element, an oscillating circuit closing element travelling across said portion of said contact for closing the circuit for a predetermined period when said element moves in one direction, operating means for said element, and means operated from said element to provide for the opening of the circuit when said element travels across the said portion in the opposite direction.

10. A circuit opening and closing device comprising means for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, an oscillatory circuit closing element travelling across said means for closing the circuit for a predetermined period when said element moves in one direction, means operated from said element to provide for the opening of the circuit when said element travels across said first mentioned, means in the opposite direction, and a spring controlled releasable operating means for said element.

11. A circuit opening and closing device comprising normally stationary lengthwise adjustable contact for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the ser ice application of the current, a circuit closing means travelling across a portion of said contact for closing the circuit for a predetermined period, a. normally latched spring controlled releasable means for operating said circuit closing means, said contact gradually decreasing in width from one end to the other and means for bodily adjusting said contact lengthwise and to fixedly secure it in adjusted position to maintain a portion thereof in the path of said circuit closing means.

12'. A circuit opening and closing device comprising a normally stationary lengthwise adjustable contact for varying the duration period for the closing of a circuit to control the service application of the current, said contact gradually decreasing in width from one end to the other, means for bodily ad justing said contact lengthwise and to fixedly secure it in adjusted position to maintain a portion thereof in the path of a circuit closing means, a circuit closing means travelling across said portion for closing the circuit for a predetermined period, a normally latched spring controlled releasable means for operating said circuit closing means, and a shittable spring controlled latch releasably engaging with said means when the circuit is open.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

ROBERT JARVIS SMOTHERS. 

